Category Archives: Politics

In his welcoming remarks at the United Nations General Assembly, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon drew attention to the plight of refugees fleeing Syria and the political and humanitarian challenges of and responsibilities for Europe’s leaders and citizens as more and more people seek safe haven. More than 4 million have fled Syria since 2011, and that number grows as you include… Continue reading

What did you take away from the Sochi Olympics? Was it the dazzling, digitized opening ceremony? The fantastic hockey? A heartbreaking ski crash? Whichever moments you choose to remember, hundreds of millions of others – proud of their athletes, proud of their countries – will select their own after yesterday’s closing ceremony. Above all, the Olympic Games… Continue reading

Since the Fukushima accident, I have presented the opinions of several eminent scientists on the Fukushima disaster and we have received many insightful responses from other experts in many fields. Many thanks to our friends for constantly translating this work into French, Spanish, Japanese, and German – hard work that brought in thousands of new readers. Our joint efforts have gained a… Continue reading

You no doubt observed the Fukushima disaster on March 11, 2011, with terror and worry: what would another nuclear disaster mean for state relations, especially in your home region of East Asia? Fortunately, it seemed, the effects were largely kept to Japan’s islands… Continue reading

On Monday the United Nations announced they will send Special Rapporteur Anand Grover to assess and report on the public health situation in Japan in the context of last year’s earthquake. I returned from a long visit to Japan last week and… Continue reading

The Tunisian Nobel Prize: Dialogue as a Political Virtue

Refugees and Responsibility

Understanding the Nuclear Challenge and Three Other Security Threats

New Type of Confrontation and the 25th Anniversary of the Moscow Global Forum

“Akio is the most completely selfless, dedicated person I have ever known. Failure is a word he does not know. It is only for him a challenge to move forward again.”

John Whitehead, former co-chair of Goldman Sachs, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State.

“He has the spirit of a saint, the skill of a mediator, the mind of one inspired by an awesome Creator, and Cosmic friend, and the imaginative courage of a genuine, one of a kind, historic initiator. His sense of urgency is grounded in the dramatic and traumatic struggle of our time which is as much spiritual as it is political.”

Glenn Olds, former U.S. ambassador to the UN, former president of Kent State

“I have a powerful position of the UN, a staff of 4,000 and a huge office, but Akio does not have any of this. However he can bring President Gorbachev and Mother Teresa together at a meeting, which I cannot do.”

Bradford Morse, Administrator of the UNDP, former U.S. Congressman

“Akio’s modesty is key to his achievements. He does not try to control the outcome of his conferences: the delegates are genuinely free to discuss what they want, and how. This openness is, I believe, the key to his success.”

Anuradha Vittachi, Co-founder of the OneWorld Network and OneClimate

“Akio Matsumura was one of the first global citizens I met many years back in a forum in Moscow. His genuine concern and compassion for all people inspired me to see my own connection to the rest of humanity. Evolution will move forward for the better because of people like him.”

Jim Paredes, celebrated Philippino musician

Akio is a motivation, a movement and an inspiration on the globe. He is bridging the gap between generations, religion, politics and nations. He is a true global citizen and a peacemaker, a man of dedication.

Lubna Malik, International Schools Coordinator (Lahore, Pakistan)

“Akio Matsumura is in the truest sense of the phrase “a citizen of the world”. He has no ideological agenda beyond the betterment of the human condition. A remarkable and admirable person.”

Ambassador Stephen Bosworth, Dean of the Fletcher School at Tufts University

“A spiritual beginning must be the basis of any initiative. Akio has always faithfully acted upon this conviction. His devotion to it has made it possible for him not only to overcome numerous obstacles and problems but also help others.”

Mikhail Gorbachev, former president, USSR

Akio and President Gorbachev

Senator Claiborne Pell and Akio

Akio and His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Dr. Thor Heyerdhal and his wife at Akio's

Akio and Chairman Arafat

Finding the Missing Link is a project by Akio Matsumura to connect people, information, and ideas to provide effective and innovative solutions to new types of international problems. Read more.